Loose leaf binder



Nov. 19, 1935. A. w. M CLURE LOOSE LEAF BINDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 17. 1933 ATTORNEYS MCCLURE 2,021,737

i1 17, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Apr Nov. 19, 1935.

WITNESS Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Application April 17, 1933, Serial No. 666,514

26 Claims.

This invention relates to loose leaf binders and is an improvement over that forming the subjectmatter of a co-pending application, Serial No. 613,905, filed by Harold C. Lenhart, May 27, 1932.

In a loose leaf binder constructed in the manner disclosed in the above-mentioned co-pending application, Serial No. 613,905, there is provided. a back member to which the covers are hingedly connected at the longitudinal edges thereof. The sheets are mounted on posts which are removably secured at their ends in housings which, in turn, are secured to the back member at each longitudinal side thereof and into which the ends of the posts are inserted. Each of these housings has a sliding member which carries a series of pintles adapted to be inserted into and withdrawn from holes in the ends of the posts. Each slide is manually manipulated to withdraw the pintles from the holes to release the posts, and after one of the slides has been moved and the corresponding ends of the posts released, the back member, together with the housing and cover secured thereto at the side thus released, is swung outwardly away from the posts about the axis of the other cover hinge as a pivot. Each of the slides is mechanically held in the released position and a suitable means is provided to automatically release each of the slides during the closing of the book and return the same to the normal position with the pintles carried thereby in holding engagement with the posts.

It has been found, however, that during the closing of the book when constructed as outlined above, all of the posts do not always have the ends thereof properly aligned with the pintles when the pintles and corresponding slide are released due to the ease in which the sheets and posts assume a skew posture when released, with the result that certain of the posts located at one side of the binder only are operably engaged by the pintles thus leaving the remaining posts free at one end.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a loose leaf binder of the above-mentioned class with means for automatically securing the leaf-retaining posts in position during the closing of the book, which is simple and positive in operation, and which is durable and economical in construction.

Other objects and advantages pertaining to the structure and to the form and relation of the parts thereof, will more readily appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a loose leaf binder embodying the various features of thisinvention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the line 2-.2, Figure 1, intermediate adjacent sheet-retaining posts. 5 Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View taken through the pintle stop bar and detent therefor, substantially in the plane of the line 3--3, Figure '7.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional View of the. 10.

binder taken in the plane of the line 44, Figure '7, with the corresponding sheet-retaining postv illustrated in elevation.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional'view taken on line 55, Figure 7.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of my novel book in a partial open position with certain portions illustrated in section and the pintle bar maintained in the outer position ready to be released for engaging the posts.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectionalv view taken substantially in the plane of the line Figure 3.

As illustrated in the drawings, the binder consists of a back member I and two covers 2 and 3. Each cover is hingedly connected to a respective longitudinal side of the back member I by hinge members 4 and 5 held in coacting rela-' tion by means of a pivot rod 6. The back member I may be constructed in any Well-known manner, and in this instance, is made concavo-convex in cross-section with hinge members 4 permanently. secured by rivets or other suitable means to the concave side of adjacent respective longitudinal edges.

The covers 2 and 3 are constructed preferably from cardboard or similar material in the conventional manner, and in this instance, each has its inner longitudinal edge provided with a recess or slot 8 formed intermediate the outer and inner surfaces thereof. In this recess 8 is positioned the outer hinge member as 5 which may be secured to the cover by rivets or other suitable means. Each of the covers is also provided witha metal plate l0 L-shaped in cross-section and which is secured by rivets l l to the inner surface of the cover, with one leg as IU of the plateextending outwardly along the adjacent longitu dinal edge of the cover.

The back member I carries on each edge adjacent respective covers 2 and 3, a tubular housing l2 rigidly secured thereto. These housings l2 extend inwardly adjacent the inner side, of the,

respective hinge member 4, with the inner longi-;55.,

tudinal edge thereof terminating a relatively short distance beyond the hinge member 4.

Each of the housing members l2 has portions of its inner edge cut away to form aligned openings l3 adapted to receive therein an end of respective posts I4. These posts, as illustrated, are for the purpose of supporting the sheets of paper as I5 which have the customary openings I6 arranged in longitudinal spaced relation along one edge for receiving the posts therethrough.

I further provide a pair of supplemental or protective covers I8 for the leaves in the book each of which consists of a cover member i9 composed of relatively thin cardboard, canvas or other appropriate material and a metal guardplate 20 right angle in cross-section and which is secured to the inner longitudinal edge of the cover member IS, with one leg thereof adapted to extend inwardly along the inner longitudinal edges of the adjacent sheets l5. The guard-plate 20' is provided with longitudinally spaced openings 2| adapted to receive the posts 14 therethrough; The posts l4 each have a transverse opening I4 in the ends thereof so positioned that when the posts are in slots l3 of the housing, the openings M will be in registration with the inner chamber I2 of the housing.

Each of the housings l2 has a bar 23 slidably mounted for longitudinal reciprocative movement therein and which is provided with a plurality of, in this instance five, longitudinally spaced pintles 24 adapted in one position, to extend across the housing openings l3 and in another position to be retracted to a position adjacent one end of said openings. Each of the pintle bars 23 carries at one end an extension 26 which projects from one end of the housing and has secured thereto a knob or handle 21 on the outer end: thereof by means of which the pintle bars may be moved longitudinally with relation to the housing l2 for bringing the pintles from an operative position extending across respective housing openings I3 to an inoperative position at one end of said openings.

This outward movement of each pintle bar 23 is efiected against the action of a retracting spring 28 mounted Within the tubular housing l2 in a longitudinal slot 29 provided in the outer edge of each pintle bar. The spring is positioned between two abutting members 30, one of which is secured to the housing I2, while the other one is slidably mounted in the housing and positioned in the slot 29 in engagement with the bar 23 at the forward or inner end of said slot so that the bar is constantly urged inwardly toward the operative position by the spring. This inward movement of the bar 23 is limited by the knob or handle 21 contacting with the adjacent end of the housing l2, while the outward movement of the bar is limited by a stop bar or latch 31 adapted to engage in a recess 32 provided in each bar 23 when the pintles 24 are in the outermost position adjacent one end of the openings l3, see Figure 6.

The latch 3| is pivotally mounted within the housing l2 intermediate its ends as at 33, with the forward or inner end thereof adapted to engage the recess 32, while the opposite or outer end of the latch terminates in the vicinity of one of the openings l3 in the housing l2 so as to extend across said opening when the forward or inner end is in engagement with the recess 32 in the path of movement of the end of the respective post M, as illustrated more clearly in Figures 6 and 7.

The forward end of the latch is yieldingly maintained in the recess 32 when the pintle bar is in its outermost position by means of a flat spring which has one end thereof engaged in a suitable recess provided in the inner end of the latch with the other end portion of said spring resting upon the inner edge wall of the housing [2.

It will be observed by referring to Figures 6 and '7 that the stop bar or latch 31 is so located in the housing, that the outer end thereof will be engaged by one of the posts l4 positioned at one side of the binder so that when the post at that side of the binder passes into the respective opening l3 during the closing of the book, the latch 3! will be engaged thereby and caused to swing about its pivot 33 and release the pintle bar 23, and in order that the pintle bar may not be moved inwardly by the action of the spring 28 until all of the posts are positioned in the respective openings i3, I have provided a second latch member 35 positioned within the housing l2 at the opposite side of the housing '52 to that at which the latch 3| is positioned.

The latch or stop bar 35 is pivotally secured near one end as at 35 to the housing i2, with the opposite or free end thereof extending some distance inwardly from the pivot 36 with the end portion thereof normally resting in proximity to the outer face of the adjacent end of the pintle bar 23 when said pintle bar is in the inner operative position as illustrated in Figure 7, and when the pintle bar 23 is moved to the outer inoperative position, the inner or free end of the latch 35 is moved into the path of movement of the inner or adjacent end of the bar by means of a flat spring member 33 and thereby maintaining the pintle bar in its outermost inoperative position.

This spring 38 has one end thereof engaged in a slot or recess provided in the end of the latch adjacent the pivot 36, while the other end of the spring engages the adjacent portion of the inner wall of the housing 12.

In order that each stop bar or latch 35 may be moved out of holding engagement with the pintle bar 23, I have provided each cover 2 and 3 with a detent as which is secured to or made integral with the leg IQ of the respective cover plate I0, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 7. These detents 4e are adapted, when the respective cover is in the closed position, to extend through an opening 4| provided in the inner adjacent edge of the housing l2 so as to engage the inner edge of the latch 35 for moving the inner end of said latch outwardly against the action of the spring 38and maintain the latch in the outer position until the cover is again moved from the closed position.

Operation With the ends of the posts l4 secured in the housings i2 positioned at the top and bottom of the binder, as best indicated in Figure 4, and with the covers 2 and 3 in the closed position, it will be understood that when it is desired to remove certain of the sheets i5 from the binder or to add oth r sheets to the binder, the cover nearest the side of the stack of leaves contained in the binder it is desired to make the change, as for instance, the cover 2 is first moved to the open position after which the adjacent ends of the posts 14 may be released from the housing it by moving respective pintle bar 23 outwardly against the action of the spring 28 for bringing the pintles 24 carried thereby from the operative position in engagement with the posts to the inoperative position adjacent the respective housing openings 53 and out of engagement with the openings i i in the posts.

As the pintle bar approaches its outermost inoperative position, the respective stop bars 3! and 35 will be moved by their respective springs into holding engagement with the pintle bar and thereby maintain the bar in its outer position. The housing l2 may then be moved away from the posts M by swinging the back member 5 about the lower hinge pivot t to the open posi tion, thereby leaving the posts it readily accessible for placing other sheets thereon or for removing sheets therefrom.

When it is desired to again fasten the posts to the housing l2, this may be readily accomplished by simply swinging the back member 8 5 about the lower pivot 6 to the closed position and 4 gaged by the shoulder it on the cover 2 and moved into alignment in the openings it and,

at the same time, the pintle bar 23 will be re-- leased by the detent carried bythe cover plate 59 coming into contact with the stop bar 35 and moving said bar out of the path of movement of the pintle bar 23 while at approximately the same time, the outer or free end of the stop bar 3! will be engaged by the respective post M and moved out of engagement with the pintle bar as said posts come to rest in the housing l2, thereby permitting the pintle bar 23 to be moved inwardly by the action or" the spring 28 for bringing the pintles 24 into holding engagement with the respective posts it.

If, however, the positions of the leaves I? and posts i l have been so distorted that only those posts located at one side of the binder are in position to be engaged by the shoulder it as the cover approaches its closed position, it is evident that only one of the latch members will be actuated for releasing the pintle bar 23, with the result that the pintle bar will remain in its outermost position with the pintles out of engagement with the posts until such time as the posts positioned at the opposite side or" the binder are moved into registration with the respective slots l3 and into alignment with the posts at the opposite side of the binder.

For instance, if the posts it positioned at the right-hand side of the binder, as viewed in Figure '7, are in position to be engaged by the shoulder Iii of the cover 2 during the closing of the cover, said posts will be broug is into aligned position within the respective openings it in the housing l2 and, at the same time, the stop bar 35 will be engaged by the detent and moved out of engagement with the pintle bar 23 and maintained thereby out of the path of movement of pintle bar. The pintle bar however, will not be permitted to be moved by the spring 28 to its innermost position due to the engagement of the holding bar Si therewith until such time as the posts positioned at the left-hand side of the binder are brought into proper engagement with the respective recesses [3 in the housing I! in alignment with the posts at the opposite side of the binder and as said posts approach the aligned position, the pintle bar 23 will be released by the stop bar 3| due to' the action of one of the posts upon said stop 5 bar.

As said pintle bar is thus released by both stop bars, the pintles 24 will again be brought into engagement with the openings M in the posts is by the action of the spring 28 upon the pintle bar 23.

Although there has been shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment of this invention, it is not desired to be limited to the exact construction shown, as various changes In both in the form and relation of the parts thereof may readily be made without departing from the spirit of this invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A loose leaf binder including a back member,

a cover connected to the back member, a plurality of leaf-impaling posts, and means set into operation by the closing of the cover only when said posts are in a predetermined alined position for securing the posts to the back member.

2. A loose leaf binder including a back member, a series of leaf-impaling members each secured at one end to the binder, a slide operably connected with the back member and having pin- 30 tles adapted to releasably engage the other ends of said leaf-impaling members for securing the members to said back member, and a plurality of stop means movable into and out of engagement with the slide for releasably holding said slide in position where the pintles do not engage said leaf-impaling members.

3. A loose leaf binder including a back member, a hinged cover, a series of leaf-impaling members each secured at one end to the binder, a slide operably connected with the back member and having pintles adapted to releasably engage the other ends of said leaf-impaling members for securing the members to said back member, spring-actuated stop means movable into and out of engagement with the slide for releasably holding said slide in position where the pintles do not engage said members, and means actuated during the closing of the cover only when the leaf impaling members are in a predetermined alined position for moving the stop means out of engagement with the slide.

4. A loose leaf binder including a back member, a hinged cover, a series of leaf-impaling members each secured at one end to the binder, a slide operably connected with the back member and having pintles adapted to releasably engage the other ends of said leaf-impaling members for securing the members to said back member, spring-actuated stop means movable into and out of engagement with the slide for" releasably holding said slide in position where the pintles do not engage said members, means actuated during the closing of the cover only when the leaf impaling members are in a predetermined alined position for moving the stop means out of engagement with the slide, and means for moving the slide when released to bring the pintles into holding engagement with said leaf-impaling members.

5. A loose leaf binder including a back member, a cover connected to the back member, a series of leaf-impaling posts each secured at one .end to the back member, a movable member operably secured to the back member and adapted to releasably engage the other ends of the leafimpaling posts, a plurality of holding means for releasably holding the movable member in the inoperative position out of engagement with the leaf-impaling posts, means set into operation by the closing of the cover for moving the holding means out of engagement with the movable member and means for causing said movable member to automatically move into engagement with the posts.

6. A loose leaf binder including a back member, a cover connected to the back member, a series of leai-impaling posts each secured at one end to the back member, a movable member operably secured to the back member and adapted to releasably engage the other ends of the leaf-impaling posts, means for releasably holding the movable member in the inoperative position, and a plurality of elements actuated during the closing of the cover, to move the holding means out of engagement with the movable member only when the leaf-impaling posts are in a predetermined aligned position.

7. A loose leaf binder including a back member, a cover connected to the back member, a series of leaf-impeding posts each secured at one end to the back member, a housing secured to the back member adapted to receive the other ends of the posts, a pintle slide mounted in the housing adapted to move into engagement with the ends of the posts for securing said posts to the housing, a pair of holding means connected with the housing and adapted to engage the slide in longitudinal spaced relation to releasably maintain said slide in an inoperative position out of engagement with the posts, and means actuated by the closing of the cover for moving the holding means out of engagement with the slide only when all the posts are in alignment in said housmg.

8. A loose leaf binder including a back memher, a cover connected to the back member, a series of leaf-impaling posts each secured at one end to the back member, a housing secured to the back member adapted to receive the other ends of the posts, a pintle slide mounted in the housing adapted to move into engagement with the ends of the posts for securing said posts to the housing, a pair of holding means connected with the housing and adapted to engage the slide in longitudinal spaced relation to releasably maintain said slide in an inoperative position out of engagement with the posts, means actuated by the closing of the cover for moving the holding means out of engagement with the slide only when all the posts are in alignment in said housing, and separate means for moving the slide when released into engagement with the posts.

9. A loose leaf binder including a back member, a cover connected to the back member, a series of leaf-impaling posts each secured at one end to the back member, a housing secured to the back member adapts to receive the other ends of the posts therein, a pintle slide mounted in the housing adapted to engage the ends of the posts for securing said posts to the housing and to be manually moved to an inoperative position out of engagement with the posts, a pair of spring-actuated holding means adapted to engage said slide in longitudinal spaced relation for releasably maintaining the slide in the inoperative position, and means actuated by the closing of the cover for moving said holding means out of engagement with the slide only when said posts are in a predetermined aligned position in the housing.

10. A loose leaf binder including a back member, a cover connected to the back member, a

series of leaf-impaling posts each secured at one 5 end to the back member, a housing secured to the back member adapted to receive the other ends of the posts therein, a pintle slide mounted in the housing adapted to engage the ends of the posts for securing said posts to the housing and to be manually moved to'an inoperative position out of engagement with the posts, a pair of spring-actuated holding means adapted to engage said slide in longitudinal spaced relation for releasably maintaining the slide in the inoperative position, means actuated by the closing of the cover for moving said holding means out of engagement with the slide only when said posts are in a predetermined aligned position in the housing, and spring means for automatically moving the slide when released into engagement with the posts.

11. A loose leaf binder comprising, in combination, a back member, a pair of hinged cover members, a plurality of vertically disposed leafimpaling posts, and means set into operation by the closing of either cover only when said posts are in a predetermined alined position for securing the posts to the back member.

12. A loose leaf binder comprising, in combination, a back member, a pair of hinged cover members connected with the back member, a plurality of leaf-impaling posts each connected at one end to the back member, and means set into operation by the closing of one of the cover members only when said posts are in a predetermined alined position for securing the other ends of the posts to said back.

13. A loose leaf binder comprising, in combi-' nation, a back member, a hinged cover member 40 connected with the back member, a plurality of leaf-impaling posts each connected at one end to the back member, a slide operably connected to the back member and movable into and out of holding engagement with the other ends of the posts for releasably connecting said ends of the posts to the back member, a pair of spaced stop elements movable into and out of engage-' ment with the slide for releasably holding said slide in an inoperative position out of engage- 5 ment with the posts, post-alining means actuated by the cover during the closing thereof for moving the posts into a predetermined alined position, one of said stop members being arranged to be moved out of holding engagement with the slide by the action of one of the post members as said post is moved to said alined position, and means actuated by the cover during the closing thereof for moving the other stop memher from holding engagement with the slide.

14:. A loose leaf binder comprising, in combination, a back member, a hinged cover member connected with the back member, a plurality of leaf-impaling posts each connected at one end to the back member, a slide operably connected 5 to the back member and movable into and out of holding engagement with the other ends of the posts for releasably connecting said ends of the posts to the back member, a pair of spaced stop elements movable into and out of engagement with the slide for releasably holding said slide in an inoperative position out of engagement with the posts, post-aiming means actuated by the cover during the closing thereof for moving the posts into a predetermined alined position, and for moving one of the stop members out of holding engagement with the slide, an additional means associated with the cover for moving the other stop member out of holding engagement with the slide, and means for automatically moving the slide into holding engagement with the posts when said slide is released by both stop members.

15. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member and a pair of cover members hinged to the back member, a plurality of leaf-impaling posts secured at one end to the binder covering, movable means set into operation during the closing of one cover for automatically securing the other ends of the posts to the binder covering, and means for preventing movement of said movable means when the posts are out of alignment.

16. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member and a pair of covers hinged to the back member, a plurality of leafimpaling posts secured at one end to the binder covering, movable means connected to the binder covering and set into operation during the closing of one cover for automatically securing the other ends of the posts to the binder covering, a member in engagement with said movable means for restraining the movement thereof, said 7, member being engageable by a post during the closing of the cover to release said restraining member to enable movement ofv said movable means to post-engaging position.

17. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member and a pair of covers hinged to the back member, a plurality of leafimpaling posts secured at one end to the binder covering, a housing carried by the binder covering having openings therein for the reception of the posts, movable means in said housing for engaging the free ends of the posts to secure the posts to the binder covering, means for retaining said movable means out of securing position, said retaining means being engageable by a post upon movement of the binder covering to closed position to carry said restraining means out of retaining position.

18. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member and a pair of covers hinged to the back member, a plurality of leafimpaling posts secured at one end to the binder covering, a housing carried by the binder covering having openings therein for the reception of the posts, a spring-tensioning slide having postengaging means slidable in said housing, means for retaining said slide out of securing position when the cover is open for the insertion or removal of sheets of paper, said means being engageable by a post upon movement of the binder covering towards a re-assembled condition to release said retaining means, and a second slideretaining means releasable during the closing of the cover to enable the post-securing means to be automatically engaged with the posts during the re-assembly of the binder.

19. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member and a pair of covers hinged to the back member, a plurality of leafimpaling posts secured at one end to the binder covering, a housing carriedby the binder cover-- engaging the ends of the posts during the closing of one cover to bring the posts into alignment, said retaining means being engageable by a post as the openings in the housing are moved into registry with the posts to release said movable means to enable movement thereof to postengaging position, additional retaining means in engagement with said movable means one of said retaining means being held in retaining position if said aligning means does not engage the posts during the closing of the cover.

20. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member and a pair of covers hinged to the back member, a plurality of leafimpaling posts adapted to retain a quantity of paper, means for securing the binder covering to the posts, means for releasing the binder covering from the posts at least at one end to enable insertion or removal of paper, aligning means on the binder covering for engaging the posts during the reassembly of the binder to force them into alignment, and means for retaining said securing means in inoperative condition if the aligning means does not engage the posts during the reassembly of the binder.

21. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member, hinges mounted along the longitudinal edges of the back member and a pair of covers secured to said hinges, a plurality of leaf impaling posts each connected at the same ends thereof to the binder covering, post engaging means mounted on the binder covering for movement into and out of holding engagement with the other ends of the posts, retaining means for releasably maintaining said post engaging means out of holding engagement with said other ends of the post to enable the binder to be opened for the insertion and removal of sheets of paper, and means set into operation during the closing of one cover for releasing said retaining means to enable said post engaging means to move into engagement with said other ends of the posts, said retaining means being releasable only when the posts are in alignment.

22. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member, hinges mounted along the longitudinal edges of the back member and a pair of covers secured to said hinges, a plurality of leaf impaling posts each connected at the same ends thereof to the binder covering, a housing carried by the binder covering and having openings for the reception of the other ends of the posts, a slide in said housing having means associated therewith for securing the binder covering to said other ends of the posts, retaining means for releasably retaining said securing means out of post securing position, a spring normally urging said securing means into engagement with the said other ends of the posts, and means for releasing said retaining means during the closing of one cover to enable said securing means to be projected into securing engagement with the said other ends of the posts under the action of said spring, said retaining means being releasable only when the posts are in alignment.

23. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member and a pair of covers hinged to the back member, a plurality of leaf impaling posts secured at one end to the binder covering, a housing carried by the binder covering having openings therein for the reception of the other ends of the postsspring tensioned movable means in said housing for engaging said other ends of the posts to secure the said ends of the posts to the binder covering, means for retaining said movable means out of securing posi tion against the action of said spring, said retaining means being engageable by a post upon movement of the binder covering towards a reassembled condition to move said retaining means out of retaining position, and releasable means tripped during the closing of one cover for enabling said movable means automatically to engage the said ends of the posts, said retaining means and said releasable means co-operating to prevent movement of said movable means into engagement with said ends of the posts unless the posts are in alignment.

24. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member, hinges secured along the longitudinal edges of the back member and a pair of covers secured to said hinges, a plurality of impaling posts for retaining a quantity of paper, said posts being secured at the same ends thereof to the binder covering, means carried by the binder covering for releasably securing the binder covering to the other ends of the posts,

, retaining means for holding said seeming means out of post securing position, said retaining means being movable out of retaining position when engaged by a post during the closing of one cover.

25. In a loose leaf binder, a binder covering comprising a back member, hinges secured along the longitudinal edges of the back member and a pair of covers secured to said hinges, a plurality of impaling posts for retaining a quantity of paper, said posts being secured at the same ends thereof to a binder covering, a housing carried by the binder covering having openings therein for the reception of the other ends of the posts, a slide in said housing having means associated therewith for securing the binder covering to said other ends of the posts, said slide being manually movable to move said securing means out of engagement with the posts, retaining means for holding said securing means out of post securing position, a spring normally urging said securing means into post securing position, said retaining means being movable out of retaining position when engaged by a post during the closing of one cover.

26. A loose leaf binder including a back member, a cover connected to the back member, a plurality of leaf impaling posts, means for bringing the posts into predetermined alined position and means set into operation by the closing of the cover only when said posts are in said alined position for securing the posts to the back member.

ARTHUR W. MCCLURE. 

